Tuesday, June 10, 2014Last Update: 10:10 AM PT

Dishwasher Safe Keyboards?

GREENBELT, Md. (CN) - A keyboard and mouse-maker claims in court that a rival is falsely advertising its own products as "antimicrobial" and dishwasher-safe. Man & Machine, of Landover, Md., sued Seal Shield Corp., of Jacksonville, Fla., in Federal Court. The companies compete in making so-called dishwasher-safe keyboards and mice. Man & Machine claims that it makes its products in the United States, and that Seal Shield has its stuff made in China for sale in the United States. Apparently, both companies aim at a specialty market of hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices, which want their keyboards and mice to be able to be disinfected. Man & Machine claims that Seal Shield competes unfairly by falsely advertising that its keyboards and mice are "antimicrobial," and "waterproof and/or suitable for dishwasher cleaning." "All of these claims are false," Man & Machine says in the 23-page lawsuit. It claims that it tested Seal Shield's devices and that they "allowed the intrusion of a significant amount of water" in a single dishwasher cycle, after which in some cases they "ceased functioning completely." Man & Machine seeks disgorgement of unjust profits, an injunction and damages for false advertising, unfair competition, false marking and trademark violations. It is represented by James Fournier.